Tuesday I finally had some time to ride, so I thought I would try area 51. I rode up Dry Canyon Drive (paved) to access the BST southbound.
For a great map look here
From the BST I went to the WaterTankRoad And then up Roller Coaster, up Betty to the GWT and Area 51.
I like the first ascent up Roller Coaster from the water tank Road.
Riding up RollerCoaster
The Roller Coaster trail was looking really Sweeeet! All the way from the start on up to the Rock Pile. Last fall after the deer hunt, horse traffic had really chewed up the trail and there were tons of loose rock and big piles of manure. So it was chewed up and stinky. So it was great to see what condition it was in this day.
I arrived at the Rock Pile and hadn't encountered any snow. The trail looked like it was in pretty good shape. That mean't I should go on up to Area 51, my favorite way to get over to Dry Canyon.
Me at the Rockpile (photo by Rockpile, i.e. self timer with camera perched on the RockpileArea 51 was completely snowbound, but I didn't know for how far so I trudged and I trudged and I trudged. Each time I went over a ridge, hoping that the snow ended, my hopes were met with disappointment.
The whole trail was snowbound until it comes out at Lament. That added about a half hour to my ride, making me late for my son's Doctor's appointment. So the quickest way down is of course Dry Canyon, which I love. So down I went. The trail was in great shape, a little moist which means great traction and great speed along with no dust.
The Pipeline
A successful pipeline ride (Dec.2008, filmed by Paul Hillyard)
When I got down to the pipeline I of course rode it.
You shave off at least two minutes riding that tightrope. I made it down the pipe fine, but I had too much speed because as soon as I got off the ledge my back tire began fish tailing. I did brake, but only enough to prepare me for the oncoming trail which is straight but then gets rocky and I needed to be sub-rocket speed.
Well, the fishtailing began to aim me off the left side, a steep embankment. So I corrected, well, I overcorrected and slammed my rear wheel into the side of the mountain and I went down on my face and tried skidding on that part of my body.
My face is no good at that. It really sucks. Maybe if I had a big beard that could get some grip on the dirt and rocks but my smooth face just wasn't providing enough friction.
My front tooth decided to dig in and brake my speed. Thank you tooth, but that was really dumb. You are not that strong my white friend and that is why you broke. I now had only half a front tooth, but I did stop so all was not lost.
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